Divinity Program Admissions

The following materials must be received by February 1:

1. Completed online application.  
2. Electronic transcripts of all academic records uploaded into the application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but must include your name, the name of the institution, the degree program, course-work, and your GPA. (Upon an offer of admission, official transcripts must be submitted to Yale Divinity School). All transcripts must be in English. 
3. A personal statement not to exceed 700 words explaining reasons for your interest in pursuing an interdisciplinary education at the Institute and the Divinity School. Include your preparation for or interest in the academic programs in liturgical studies, in religion and the arts, or in preaching, and discuss your interest in and preparation for ministry alongside the broader artistic community. Discuss any interest or experience in collaborative work with practicing musicians.
4. A curriculum vitae (a resume of academic, employment, and other relevant information).
5. A 5-page writing sample representing your best academic writing and thinking. A portion of a senior thesis or term paper is acceptable.
6. Three letters of recommendation. These may be identical to those submitted to YDS.
7. Scores from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) if English is not your first language (see below for details). TOEFL scores are not accepted. Self-reported scores for your ISM application are acceptable, as long as the official record is in your YDS application.
8. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (optional; students are welcome to submit GRE scores to support their application, but will not be penalized for not doing so). Contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS) for more information. Please use institution code #7072. Failure to use this code may result in lost scores.

Divinity School applicants are not required to appear for an interview, though admissions committee members may request supplementary interviews with applicants on a case-by-case basis during the review process. Decisions made by the admissions committees of the Institute and the Divinity School are based on the application and supporting materials. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Institute and the Divinity School campus at any time. In-person and virtual open house events for prospective students are held during the academic year. In-person events offer the opportunity to attend classes, tour the campus, and talk with faculty, staff, and current students.

Students for whom English is a second language must demonstrate a level of language proficiency appropriate for study.

Applicants to the Institute and Yale Divinity School programs must show evidence of proficiency in the English language either by attaining a satisfactory score on the International English Language Testing System (a minimum 7.0 band score in all areas) or by having received a degree from an accredited university or college where English is the language of instruction (TOEFL scores are not accepted for Divinity programs). 

For more information, go to the Divinity School website.

International students are a vital part of our community at the ISM. We welcome international applicants, and seek to offer them support throughout the application process and during their time on campus. In order to gain admission to the Institute and to obtain a visa, international students must show that they have sufficient funds to provide for their expenses while in residence as a student in the United States. Bank affidavits and certificates of finance will be required.

The ISM’s admissions committee will consider applications for all degree programs, invite music applicants for auditions and interviews, and then make its recommendations to the appropriate admissions committee of either the School of Music or the Divinity School. 

Letters of acceptance will be sent to successful candidates on or before March 15. There is no early decision process, nor is there a summer program. Divinity School students must obtain the ISM director’s approval to complete a degree on a part-time basis. School of Music students must be enrolled full-time and in consecutive years.

Students who are not admitted may reapply the following year without resubmitting these materials, although they may send new ones if they choose. All other application materials must be submitted, as for first-time applicants, by the deadline.